The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 283

Besides, Joseph had a way with words, and she could just imagine him saying something like, "You got all dressed up just to see me?" The thought alone made her want to crawl into a hole and disappear.

So, the makeup had to be strategic. It needed to make her look well-rested and pretty, but without looking like she’d tried too hard.

After some careful work, Vivica emerged from the bathroom.

Holly looked up from her phone, curious. “I thought you were going to rock a smoky, glam look. Why so subtle?”

Vivica felt a little embarrassed. “I haven’t been sleeping well, so I looked a bit washed out,” she explained. “I just wanted to freshen myself up a bit.”

“Hey, no need to explain. I get it,” Holly said, her eyes returning to her phone screen as she waved a hand dismissively. “You’re divorced now. It’s totally normal to go on a date. Just own it, don’t be so shy.”

Vivica thought to herself that her single friend really did have it all figured out.

“So, are you coming back tonight?” Holly asked suddenly.

Vivica’s face froze, and she stammered, unsure of what to say. She didn’t know if she was coming back. Joseph hadn’t mentioned what the plan for the evening was.

“Okay! Got it, got it. You…”

“No, no, I am coming back! Don’t get the wrong idea,” Vivica quickly interjected.

“Oh,” Holly smirked. “I see. You’re going to assess the situation when you meet him, right? If he’s not up to snuff, you come back. But if you like what you see…”

“Holly, you’ve really got it all wrong! We’re just friends, it’s not that kind of relationship.” Vivica was worried Holly’s big mouth would spread rumors around the office and ruin her reputation.

But before she could explain further, her phone rang.

Already? Vivica was surprised. She picked up her phone and saw that it was him. He’d said it would be forty minutes, but it had only been half an hour.

“Well, Holly, I’m heading out. You have fun,” Vivica said, not answering the call just yet.

Holly nodded, her gaze flickering from her phone and back again. “Have a great time!”

“Heh,” the man chuckled. “Look at you, so punctual. You get a gold star.”

The call ended just as the elevator reached the ground floor. As Vivica walked through the hotel lobby, her eyes were fixed on the entrance, so she didn’t notice Zavier sitting on a sofa in the lounge area.

“Vivica?” Zavier called out, surprised to see her.

The sound of his voice startled her. She turned and saw him, a wave of panic washing over her face.

Zavier stood up and walked over, his expression concerned. “Are you going out this late?”

Vivica felt incredibly awkward. “A friend invited me out for a bit,” she explained.

Afraid he would ask more questions, she quickly glanced toward the sofa and changed the subject. “Are you meeting a friend too, Zavier?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, gesturing toward the man on the sofa. “An old classmate from my department. We have some business dealings, and he heard I was in Sydville, so we decided to catch up.”